Your puppy's first 12 weeks is called the Developmental Period. This is when they learn about their environment, develop their own personality and what it means to be a dog.

The importance of early weeks in life

Possibly the most important weeks in a dog's life are the first five weeks, when the experiences your puppy has will form the basis of the dog they grow up to be.

Weeks 1 and 2

• almost 90% of the time snoozing (it's a dog's life!)
• lots of crying, sucking, touching, and crawling
• eyes open at about 10 days of age
• vulnerable to cold temperatures
• need their mother's touch to go to the toilet

Week 3

• begin to walk
• begin to see and hear better
• go to the toilet without their mother's touch

Week 4

• become more aware of the sights and sounds around them
• mother is still the centre of life but begin to recognise people
• socialisation begins

Week 5

• fearless and very alert
• start to play with people

Puppy socialisation

From the fourth week, a puppies brain and nervous system are developing and by eight weeks of age they will have the capacity of an adult dog – without life the experience. This is where socialisation plays such a big role

With other dogs

Puppies socialise with their mother and siblings to:

• form attachments to other dogs
• play fight
• become well-rounded and confident

However, if a puppy is taken from their mother and litter mates too early they may:

• show less interest in dog activities
• pick fights with dogs when they grow up
• be fearful of other dogs
• be difficult to mate

With people

• to form attachments to human being
• feel safe around and trusting of people

Disease and vaccinations

Puppies get some protection against diseases from their mother, but this is only short-term. Vaccination will help your puppy develop his or her own immunity to disease.

The core diseases (diseases against which all dogs should be vaccinated due to being severe and life-threatening around the world) are:

• Canine parvovirus
• Canine infectious hepatitis
• Canine distemper

When should I vaccinate my puppy?

Puppies usually have two to three vaccinations in the first 3-4 months of life, starting at around 6 weeks of age. They then require boosters (yearly or every few years ) to keep their immunity up for the remainder of their lives.

Article and image reproduced with permission from pawclub.com.au